AGARTALA, June 26 (TIWN): The apparently controlled malaria epidemic in Tripura today striked back with three more casualties. The death toll reached 50 today with over 8,600 infected with the disease statewide.

Two persons were killed by the disease at Teliamura sub-division and Khowai under Khowai district; one was reported to have died from malaria at Gandacherra sub-division today, Health Minister Badal Choudhury said here today. 
An official communique from the Health Department said later today that Nitai Sarkar (32), resident of Krishnapur MT para died from malaria at the Teliamura Community Health Center (CHC).
Dilip Sarkar (28), resident of Padmabil in Khowai district was confirmed to have died from malaria by Kalyanpur Community Health Centre. Tarunjoy Tripura (6) from Dalapati ADC village under Gandacherra sub-division died at Gandacherra sub-divisional hospital,  the communique said.
A total of 7,771 patients underwent blood tests across the state today among whom 1,437 were confirmed to have contacted malaria. 1,187 patients were admitted in different hospitals across thenstate today; 663 among them were confirmed to have been afflicted with malaria.
The state is currently having over 51 thousand fever cases deteced till date.
In a fresh note of alarm, the Health department communique today said that the department is now taking proper measures to combat possibilites of dengue and japanese encephalitis outbreak.
"Dengue and Japanese encephalis outbreaks are usually seen in this part of the year. Blood testing kits are being purchased and sent to the Agartala Government Medical College authorities", an official from the state health department said.
The official addes that there are no confirmed report of these diseases in the state yet.